Marines Change Policy on War Dead
The remains of Marines killed in Iraq or Afghanistan will be met by at least two Marines to “render appropriate honors” when the caskets arrive as cargo aboard civilian airlines, under a policy issued this week.
Camp Pendleton has had more personnel killed in Iraq -- nearly 290 -- than any U.S. military base.
The old policy required only one Marine. But amid a congressional probe into how all services are treating the remains of those killed overseas, the Marine Corps has changed its policy.
Remains are initially flown to the U.S. on military planes, but are then sent home for burial on civilian airlines.
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